Make plans: Summer fun with birds, bugs ahead

Invasives removal part of outdoor events in parks.

Participants head into the fields at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., in Laketown Township on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, as part of the “Incredible Insects” program with the Outdoor Discovery Center.

Summer is winding down, but Laketown Township is offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities through August including a birding hike, insect exploration and a volunteer invasives species removal.

The Birding Hike is Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Ave. The free event is led by the Outdoor Discovery Center and sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks & Recreation Commission.

Participants will learn identification techniques while spotting birds. All experience levels are welcome. Binoculars will be provided. Organizers suggest participants download Merlin Bird ID and eBird, but the apps are not required. Insect spray and closed-toe shoes recommended because Farview is a rustic nature park.

Suggested age range is 10 years old and up. Guardians stay with the class. Registration is not required but appreciated at outdoordiscovery.org or by clicking here.

Participants point out birds at Farview Park, 6257 138th Ave., as part of the Migratory Birds program on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Incredible Insects is Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave. The free event is led by the Outdoor Discovery Center and sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

Participants will hunt for insects hiding in the wild using nets and bug boxes provided by the Outdoor Discovery Center.

Suggested age range is 5 to 13 years old. Guardians stay with the class. Registration is not required but appreciated at outdoordiscovery.org or by clicking here.

Volunteers Liz Uppleger, left, Mike Ricco, center, and Tyler Lidgard, right, natural resource steward with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, pick spotted knapweed at a volunteer stewardship workday on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave.

Volunteers are needed to help eliminate the invasive spotted knapweed at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6575 138th Ave., on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Dress for direct sunlight. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended.

Register by emailing Tyler Lidgard at LidgardT@Michigan.gov.

For more information, visit here.

Events may be canceled due to inclement weather and other reasons.

For the Birding Hike and Incredible Insects, please call the township hall at (616) 335-3050 to confirm whether an event is being held.

For the volunteer day at the state park, please call the park to confirm dates/times prior to your arrival. Lidgard can be reached at (517) 388-8517.